Djirra welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) Inquiry into Justice Responses to Sexual Violence.
The justice system must change to become a safe and trusted option for Aboriginal women and children to be able to disclose and seek redress for sexual violence. Djirra urges the ALRC to recommend reforms that will recognise the ongoing harms caused by continuing colonisation and the entrenched systemic racism in our justice systems, and to change how we approach sexual violence perpetuated against Aboriginal women and children.
Solutions must be grounded in self-determination and respect for Aboriginal culture and ways of doing things.